Month / January 2017

Okay. Ever since I started this blog, I kind of wanted to experiment and play around with it, see how far I can go. It’s been 6 months, and I couldn’t be any happier.

With this sort of stuff, I get way too over-the-top and be a perfectionist when it comes to design and writing because I know I can do better. But recently, I just figured out the look I want on this website (which is rare taking into account my constant uncertainty when it comes to anything) and I smiled intensely, like a real goofball.

I never smile when I’m working on a project controlled by me. I never smile. (yes i do, don’t worry.)

But I feel good about this. Usually when I’m on a client job, I’m never happy about how my work looks, though my customers tend to be, and it leaves me on a bad note. With this blog, I feel otherwise. I feel…

So, tons of people got invited to Nintendo’s event which revealed more on the Switch, a tablet-esque console with a docking station and JoyCons, and the upcoming games that will be supported. Honestly, I think Nintendo really hit the nail with this one, but there is one concern that scrapes at the back of pretty much everyone’s head.

…what about the games?

You see there’s so much I love about this concept. The whole modular, portable idea of seamlessly continuing from your TV to a tablet for travelling or just to show off is great. But as with Nintendo’s consoles, there’s not enough substance in terms of games. Sure, you’ve got the Mario games with a side of Pokémon and a lot of other very niche games that I missed out but it’s always put Nintendo on the side.

It’s good not to be included into the console war because you have the freedom of innovation without the risk of another big rig corporation getting in the way, but the games that you see on a PS4 compared to a Nintendo 3DS is more diverse and enticing and I’d pick it any day (unless nostalgia hits). Because there’s all sorts of games: indies, platformers, story, action, FPS etc.

That’s why it’s assuring to see the Switch having more compatible games, working with different companies like Bethesda, Activision, Epic Games and even Telltale dammit (I’m so excited for that one). But I hate to say this, it’s not enough. It’s a start, sure, but they can’t just have Super Mario Odyssey and then attempt to please everyone by throwing in Skyrim and a chance to play N64 games every month with a fee, just like Xbox Games for Gold and PS Plus’ free game system.

We need more games dammit.

In retrospect, it looks like also being the console war is also a good idea because you hunt for game devs to make more exclusives because exclusivity is what is making Sony the belle of the ball in the current console wars. jots idea down for a future blog post

But everything else is fine, though the JoyCons seem shifty af for me as well as the tablet battery but I appreciate the humble thumbsticks being offset.

Whether you’re a productivity nut or not, you need something to at least remind you of the important stuff to get done throughout the week. Meet ToDoist, probably the best app you can get on productivity and also a great app to kick off the year!

I’ve been using this app for months and I must admit, it has done very well towards handling my rollercoaster of a life.

Extra info for extra context i guess.

Before we get into the pros and cons, I think it’s best to add some context first. I’ve been using ToDoist since August-ish and was learning my ways around the basics and how it could fit into my workflow. There was a moment where my computer and iPad broke down and I couldn’t access the app at all which was a real pain until I realised I could print my weekly ToDoist on a local computer and still keep up, which was an absolute lifesaver!

Back to the review! batman transition

Look at it! It looks amazing!

I immediately fell in love with the ultra-minimalist UI that shows me everything. No matter which platform you use, it’s always got a consistent, familiar look with customisable themes too.

There’s all sorts of options, giving the user a lot of freedom and just generally making life a lot easier. It’s given you the choice to control things your way, and that is vital for anyone really. They offer no specific way ToDoThis (knee slap for a certain reader I have an inside joke with) and it works.

How it works.

To create a task, press the plus sign and type as shown in the amateur gif provided above. You can can create projects and assign the job to a specific section. You can then choose the time, date and it’s priority level.

What’s even better, and is by far my favourite feature, is the smart detection in what you type. So when typing in ‘Next Friday’ or ‘ToNIght’, whatever the upper and lower case the letter may be, it will highlight the detail red and automatically move that task to that date/time.

There’s even a Smart Reschedule addition which automatically reschedules overdue tasks to a suitable date based on your routine/what the robots learn from you! They won’t do it without your consent though.

The shortcuts make life a lot simpler for the mere human being due to the nanosecond of “productivity time” being saved for that 3 hour Louis Theroux marathon you’re going on. In my opinion, this is a HUGE advantage that they do subliminally support and it doesn’t take too long to get the hang of.

Verdict: Downright awesome.

The UI is clean and consistent no matter if you’re using Windows, a Kindle or the extension available in Internet Explorer (thank goodness the latter doesn’t exist) and all the various elements proves to make you more efficient and the algorithms smarter than you. #rekt

As of December 2016, I have no issue with this system because I control the system. Everything works when I work so I basically have no one to blame but myself when it doesn’t work.

So in short, it’s incredible and a 9.7/10, because nothing can be 10 without being a God-sent miracle.